Refrigerating apparatus having means to prevent wetting of insulation



Feb., 27, B951 L. A. PHiLlPP 2,543,196

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS HAVING MEANS TO PREVENT WETTING OF INSULATION Filed June I6, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l Felt. 27, H951 L? A,

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS HAVING MEANS TO PREVENT WETTING OF INSULATION Filed June 16, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 PHILIPP 2,543,196 v 2,543,196 NG APPARATUS HAVINGNEANS To PREVENT wETTING 0F INSULATION D.. W P. H D. A. L I T A R E G I R F E R Feb., 27, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 16, 1947 INVENTOR. Aw/@ewes H PML/PP "M am HrToR/vsy Patented Feb. 27, 1951 REFRIGERATING APPARATUS HAVING MEANS T PREVENT ,WETTING 0F INSULATION Lawrence A. Philipp, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a.

corporation of Maryland Application June 16, 1947, Serial No. 754,847

Claims. (Cl. 62-89) This invention relates generally to refrigerating apparatus and more particularly to ice cream cabinets.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ice cream cabinet of reduced weight and cost of manufacture without decreasing its eiiciency.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement in an ice cream cabinet to prevent wetting of the insulation by interior condensate on the cabinet walls.

Another object of the invention resides inthe arrangement for draining of condensate from the interior of the cabinet.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

Fig. 1 is a side view partly broken away and in section of my. improved ice cream cabinet, embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view of the cabinet, taken along the line 2--2 of Figure l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view of the cabinet, taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the cabinet, partly broken away and in section;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, isometric view partly in section of any interior corner of the cabinet; and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the refrigerating system of my refrigerating apparatus.

In the drawings, the numeral designates generally a refrigerating apparatus having a cabinet of general rectangular shape in cross section of the type generally used for storage of ice cream, package goods, etc. The cabinet 20 comprises, in general, an outer metal casing 22 and a metal tank or liner 24 forming bottom, side and end walls of the cabinet. Heat insulation 25 preferably a light weight, Iiuff type of insulation, such as spun glass, is interposed between the casing 22 and the tank 24 to decrease heat leakage into the cabinet.

In the top wall of the cabinet 2U are access openings to the tank 24, closable by hinged covers or lids 21. cabinet 2li is preferably structurally reinforced by a horizontally disposed frame 28 which may be constructed of wood, (see Fig. 5). This frame 28 ts over or surrounds an upper portion of the tank and may be rigidly secured thereto by bolts Around these access openings the and nuts 29. At the top of the cabinet, the outer casing 22 is provided with a downturned flange 30 engaging dat against the outer side surface of the wooden frame, the casing 22 being reinforced by an angle member 3l engaging complementary in the casing corner formed by the flange 30. Screws 32 or other suitable attaching means may be used to secure the angle member 3|, casing ange 3l! and the wooden frame 28 together. In the outer surface of the wooden frame 23, adjacent the top thereof is a recess filled with a sealing cement 33 which surrounds the screws 3l, sealing the joints between the parts including the joints between a metal cap 34 and the casing top wall and between the cap and the upper edge of the wooden frame. The inner face of the frame 28 is hidden by a lower metal finish strip 35 and an upper nish strip 36 the latter of which also presents an upwardly facing seat for the hinged lids 2l.

At one end of the cabinet 20, the bottom wall thereof is offset or stepped upwardly, to provide space for a machinery compartment 36 beneath the step for a refrigerant motor-compressor unit, designated generally by the numeral 31. Except for the stepped portion, the bottom wall of the cabinet 2U comprises a plurality of spaced cross member supports 33, which may be made of wood or other rigid, sufiiciently strong material to support the tank 24. These cross members 38 are arranged to rest on the inner surface of the outer casing 22 which in turn may rest on a cabinet metal base lili. By the provision of the bottom wall structural members 38, alight weight iluif type of heat insulating material maybe used for the bottom wall where formerly it has been the practice to use a relatively heavy structural type of insulation, such as corkboard. Seating on the upper edges of the wooden cross members 38 is a drip pan 42 on which the tank 24 rests, the drip pan 42 having an outer and continuous u pturned flange 44 spaced outwardly from the outer wall surface of the tank 24. Seating on the step of the cabinet bottom wall is a second drip pan 46 having an upturned ange 48 spaced outwardlyy from the tank sides and from the cabinet end wall, the end of thev pan 46, adjacent the edge of the step being without a flange to provide a drain opening so that condensate may run out of this upper drip pan down into the lower drip pan 42.

In order to prevent wetting of the insulation of the cabinet side and end walls by condensate collecting on the outer surface of the tank, I provide an insulation protective covering 50 between the insulation 26 and the side and end walls of the Vta'nk 24. For this purpose, I provide an inexpensive protective covering of an impervious or moisture shedding material, such as asphalt paper covered on one side with preferably metallic aluminum foil and arrange this covering with the foil facing inwardly so that moisture will run down the foil surface into the drip pans 42, 46. This foil 50 may, if desired, be made of tin or any other suitable moisture shedding or non-absorbing material. As shown, the metallic foil 5D extends downwardly into the drip pans 42, 46 in overlapping relation to the flanges or sides thereof.

Above the cabinet bottom wall step, I provide an S-shaped refrigerant accumulator 52, interposed between adjacent cabinet and end walls of the tank 24. This accumulator 52 is arranged with a lower end portion thereof positioned in and seating on the upper drip pan 46. A refrigerant evaporator coil 54 is arranged in heat absorbing relation with the tank 24 and is preferably attached to the outer side wall surface of the tank to absorb heat therefrom. Secured to the inner surface of the cabinet outer casing 22 is a refrigerant condenser coil 56 of sinuous or serpentine shape, the outer casing being utilized to dissipate the heat of4 condensation. Interposed between the outer casing upright walls and the insulation 26, I provide a metallic foil 60 to reect heat of the outer casing outwardly from the cabinet.

The motor-compressor unit 31 supplies gaseous refrigerant through conduit 62 to the condenser whence liquid refrigerant flows to the evaporator 54 under` control of a small diameter or capillary tube 55. From the evaporator 54. the refrigerant flows to the accumulator 52 and gaseous refrigerant is drawn off from the top of the accumulator and returns to the motor-compressor unit through a return conduit 64. A metal tube 6| extending upwardly through the cabinet stepped wall from the machinery compartment into the tank 24 houses a thermostat 63 which controls operation of the motor-compressor unit.

Adjacent a corner of the tank 24, at the stepped wall thereof, I provide a horizontally extending drain, leading from the lower drip pan 42 into the machinery compartment 36. 'I'his drain comprises an inner drain pipe or tube 66, a tubular outlet 68 and an intermediate tube 10. The tubular outlet member yEl! extends through an aperture in the casing 22 and may be provided with an outer flange which may be welded or be otherwise secured to the casing 22. A closure plug, such as a cork l2, may be used to close the drain outlet. the closure plug being readily accessible from the machinery compartment. The intermediate tubular drain member 'l0 is made of a low heat conducting material, such as a phenolic plastic to decrease heat transfer between the inner drain pipe 66 and the drain outlet member B8, the plastic tube 'l0 being tightly fitted onto opposed ends of the pipe 66 and tubular outlet 68 connecting them together.

In charging the system with refrigerant, the quantity charged is sufcient so that during certain conditions of operation some liquid refrigerant enters the S-shaped accumulator. The amount of liquid entering the accumulator never completely lls it so that gas only is Withdrawn from the top thereof. Since the accumulator is secured to and in heat transfer relation with one wall of the tank it serves to aid in refrigerating the tank and its contents.

During operation of the system some frost will collect on the evaporator 54 and exterior of the tank 24. After a prolonged period of operation it is desirable to defrost the system. When this takes place the defrost water will iiow into drip pan 4B and then down the foil 5D into drip pan 42 whence it may be withdrawn through outlet 66. Other defrost water will ow down the foil '50 directly into pan 42.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that I have provided an improved refrigerating apparatus cabinet which is lighter in weight and less expensive to construct without affecting its efficiency. Also, it will be noted that a substantial saving is effected by the provision of drip pans and metal foil to protect the cabinet insulation against wetting by condensate on the tank walls. In addition, I have provided an improved arrangement of drip pans on a stepped bottom wall cabinet together with a convenient arrangement for draining the condensate from the interior of the tank. Furthermore the metal foil 6U has a bright reflecting surface which tends to reflect heat outwardly of the cabinet and away from the cabinet insulation and interior of the cabinet.

Although only a preferred form of the invention has been illustrated, and that form described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, a casing, a liner within said casing, heat insulation between said casing and said liner, a cooling element disposed between said liner and said insulation and being arranged in heat exchange relation with said liner, a drip receiver below said liner, and moisture impervious material interposed between said insulation and said liner sealing the insulating against moisture, said moisture impervious material extending downwardly into said drip receiver.

2. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, a, cabinet casing, a tank in said casing, insulation interposed between said casing and said tank, a refrigerant evaporator coil in heat absorbing relation with said tank externally thereof, refrigerant condensing element coil operatively connected to said evaporator and disposed within said casing in heat exchange relationship therewith, a refrigerant accumulator interposed between the insulation and the outer surface of said tank, said accumulator being operatively connected to said evaporator and to said condensing means, and metal foil interposed between said accumulator and said insulation.

3. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, a cabinet casing, a tank in said casing, insulation interposed between said casing and said tank, a refrigerant evaporator coil in heat absorbing relation with said tank, refrigerant condensing means operatively connected to said evaporator, a refrigerant accumulator interposed between the insulation and the outer surface of said tank, said accumulator being operatively connected to said evaporator and to said condensing means, metal foil interposed between said accumulator and said insulation, and a drip pan immediately beneath said accumulator extending outwardly of and receiving a lower portion of said foil therein.

4. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, an outer metal cabinet casing, a metal tank in said casing, insulation interposed between said casing and said tank, a refrigerant evaporator coil in heat absorbing relation with said tank, refrigerant condensing means operatively connected to said evaporator, a refrigerant accumulator interposed between the insulation and the outer surface of said tank, said accumulator being operatively connected to said evaporator and to said condensing means, metal foil interposed between said accumulator and said insulation, and a drip pan seating on said insulation, immediately beneath said accumulator.

5. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, an outer metal cabinet casing, a metal tank in said casing, insulation interposed between said casing and said tank, a refrigerant evaporator coil in heat absorbing relation with said tank, refrigerant condensing means operatively connected to said evaporator, a refrigerant accumulator Vinterposed between the insulation and the outer surface of said tank, said accumulator being operatively connected to said evaporator and to said condensing means, and metal foil interposed between said accumulator and said insulation and a drip pan seating on said insulation receiving and supporting said accumulator.

6. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, an outer metal cabinet casing, a metal tank in said casing, insulation inter-posed between said casing and said tank, a refrigerant evaporator coil in heat absorbing relation with said tank, refrigerant condensing means operatively connected to said evaporator, a refrigerant accumulator interposed between the insulation and the outer surface of said tank, said accumulator being operatively connected to said evaporator and to said condensing means, metal foil interposed between said accumulator and said insulation, and a drip pan seating on said insulation receiving and supporting said accumulator and also receiving a lower portion of said foil.

7 Refrigerating apparatus comprising, an outer metal cabinet casing, a metal tank in and spaced from said casing, insulation interposed be tween said casing and said tank, metal foil interposed between said insulation and said tank to protect the insulation against wetting by condensate collecting on the outer surface of said tank, a refrigerant evaporator coil in heat absorbing relation with said tank and interposed between said tank and said foil, a refrigerant f motor-compressor unit operatively connected to said evaporator, a refrigerant condenser coil in heat exchange contact with the inner surface of saidv casing, and a heat reflecting foil interposed between said condenser coil and said insulation.

8. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, a cabinet having an outer metal casing and having an upper bottom wall step portion at one end thereof, a tank within said cabinet having a bottom wall step portion overlying the cabinet bottom wall step portion, heat insulation interposed between said casing and said tank, a refrigerant evaporator coil in heat absorbing relation with said tank, a lower drip pan interposed between said insulation and the bottom wall of said tank, an upper drip pan interposed between the insulation of said step and the step portion of said tank, said upper drip pan having a drain outlet adjacent the edge of the cabinet bottom step for dripping of moisture into said lower drip pan,

A6 and a metallic foil extending between said drain outlet and said lower drip pan interposed between said insulation and said tank.

9. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, a cabinet having an outer metal casing and having a bottom wall upper step at one end of ,the cabinet, a tank within said casing having a bottom wall step at one end thereof and overlying the step of the cabinet bottom wall, heat insulation interposed between said outer casing and said tank, a refrigerant evaporator coil in said cabinet in heat absorbing relation with said tank, a motorcompressor unit beneath the cabinet bottom wall step operatively 'connected to said refrigerant evaporator coil, a drip pan supported directly on said insulation of the cabinet bottom wall step and receiving said one end of said tank, a rnetallic foil interposed between said insulation and said one end of said tank, and a refrigerant accumulator operatively connected to, said evaporator and to said motor-compressor unit and interposed between said foil and said one end of said tank over said drip pan.

10. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, a cabinet having an outer metal casing and having a bottom wall upper step forming the top wallof a machinery compartment at one end of the cabinet, a tank within said cabinet having a bottoni wall step overlying the cabinet bottom Wall step, heat insulation interposed between said outer casing and said tank, an upper drip pan interposed between said insulation and the tank bottom wall step, said upper drip pan having a drain outlet at the edge of the cabinet bottom wall step, a lower drip pan interposed between said insulation and the bottom wall of said tank extending beneath the drain outlet of said upper drip pan to catch the drip therefrom, said low drip pan being laterally positioned with respect to said machinery compartment, and a drain leading Ifrom said lower drip pan into said machinery compartment.

1l. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, an outer casing, an inner liner having an upper horizontal wall and a lower horizontal wall and vertical walls, a refrigerant evaporator in contact with said vertical walls, insulation between said casing and said liner, a drip pan below said upper horizontal wall, a drip pan below said lower horizontal wall, and moisture resisting material between said insulation and said evaporator extending downwardly into said drip pans.

l2. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, an outer casing, an inner liner having an upper horizontal wall and a lower horizontal wall and vertical walls, a refrigerant evaporator in contact with said vertical walls, insulation between said casing and said liner, a drip pan below said upper horizontal wall, a drip pan below said lower horizontal wall, moisture resisting material between said insulation and said evaporator for conducting defrost water to one or both of said drip pans, and a drain connection communicating with said drip pans below said lower horizontal wall.

13. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, a cabinet casing, a liner in said casing, heat insulation between said casing and said liner, moisture impervious material between said insulation and said liner protecting the insulation against wetting by condensate on the outer surface of said liner, a cooling element in heat exchange relationship with said liner between said liner and said moisture impervious material, and heat re- 7 ecting material between said casing and said insulation.

14. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, a cabinet casing. a liner 1n said casing, heat insulation between said casing and said liner, moisture impervious material between said insulation and said liner protecting the insulation against wetting by condensate on the outer surface of saidB liner, a refrigerant evaporator in heat exchange relationship with said liner and disposed between said liner and said moisture impervious material, a refrigerant condenser in heat exchange relationship with said casing between said casing and said insulation, and heat reecting means interposed between said condenser and said insulation.

15. Refrigerating apparatus comprising, a cabinet casing, a tank in said casing, insulation between said casing and said tank, a refrigerant evaporator in heat exchange relationship with said tank, a refrigerant condensing element conduit operatively connected to said evaporator and disposed between said insulation and said casing in heat exchange relationship with the latter, a refrigerant accumulator between said in- 8 suiation and said tank operatively connected to said evaporator and to said refrigerant condensing element conduit, moisture impervious sheeting between said insulation and said evaporator, and heat reflecting sheeting between said refrigerant condensing element conduit and said insuiation.

LAWRENCE A. PHILIPP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name DBte 1,973,880 Moody Sept. 18, 1934 2,012,308 Heitman Aug. 27, 1935 2,019,194 Munbers Oct. 29, 1935 2,148,109 Dana et al. Feb. `21, 1939 2,166,791 Bixler July 18, 1939 2,292,365 De More Aug. 11, 1942 2,302,051 Philipp Nov. 17, 1942 2,304,757 Arthur Dec. 8, 1942 2,314,657 Norris Mar. 23, 1943 

